February 4, 2026 —Kendal at Home, a trailblazing organization dedicated to empowering older adults to age in place with vitality and independence, announces the retirement of its long-serving founding CEO, Lynne Giacobbe. After a remarkable 23-year tenure that saw the organization evolve from a small pilot program into a thriving, independent entity serving members across multiple states, Lynne will step down, leaving behind a legacy of compassion, innovation, and unwavering advocacy for senior independence.
Lynne’s journey with Kendal at Home mirrors the evolution of the aging-in-place field itself. Joining the organization in its infancy in 2003, she helped navigate the complexities of a changing healthcare landscape, championed the shift toward a holistic health and wellness model, and steered the company through the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her leadership has been instrumental in transforming Kendal at Home from a local initiative in Northern Ohio into a nationally recognized model for continuing care at home, now expanding its reach to markets in Massachusetts and Kentucky.
A Legacy Built on Vision and Compassion
When Lynne first joined Kendal at Home, the concept of “aging in place” with the support of a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) without walls was a novel idea. The program was founded by Kendal at Oberlin with a singular purpose: to support older adults who wished to remain in their own homes rather than moving to a retirement community or care center.
Reflecting on her hiring process, Lynne recalls a unique introduction to the Kendal culture. After responding to an advertisement for the position, her three-hour interview led to lunch, which coincided with a surprise 50th birthday party for a team member. This unconventional start highlighted the community-focused, thoughtful and purposeful family-oriented atmosphere that would come to define her tenure. At the beginning, the staff consisted of only five people, yet they carried a massive responsibility: proving that older adults could age safely and happily at home without prematurely needing nursing center care.
Lynne credits the initial vision to leadership who utilized intellectual property, policies, and assessment tools from Cadbury at Home, now operating as Springpoint Choice, a Continuing Care at Home (CCaH) program for adults 55+ in New Jersey, to build a robust foundation. This foundation allowed Lynne and her growing team to innovate freely, adapting to the specific needs of seniors living independently.
Under Lynne’s guidance, that hypothesis became a proven reality. For the first 10 years of operation, Kendal at Home successfully avoided a single permanent nursing center placement for members—a statistic that defied norms and validated the organization’s core mission.
From Revolutionary Program to Independent Powerhouse
A pivotal moment in Lynne’s leadership occurred in 2016. Originally operating under the umbrella of Kendal at Oberlin, the program’s success and potential for scalability became undeniable. Recognizing the opportunity to serve a broader demographic beyond the Cleveland market, the decision was made to separate and become an independent entity and Kendal Affiliate.
This transition was driven by a desire to expand the mission. The separation enabled Kendal at Home to pursue growth opportunities that had previously been logistically difficult, including expansion into new states and service areas.
Championing the “Mary Ann” Philosophy
Throughout her tenure, Lynne’s leadership philosophy was grounded in the personal stories of the members she served. One story, in particular, became the heartbeat of the organization’s mission: the story of Mary Ann.
A charter member of Kendal at Home, Mary Ann was adamant about avoiding leaving her home or having to reside in a nursing center, having watched her own mother spend six years in one. When Mary Ann’s health began to decline, and her physician delivered the news that she could not return home, Lynne and her team refused to accept this as the final verdict. Viewing Mary Ann’s membership not just as a service but as a promise, the team mobilized.
Collaborating closely with the physician and implementing a rigorous care plan, Kendal at Home facilitated Mary Ann’s return to her residence. For the next 18 months, she lived in the warmth and familiarity of her own home, surrounded by dedicated caregivers and her care coordinator. This experience solidified the organization’s commitment to redefining what is possible in long-term care. It was not just about medical safety; it was about dignity, autonomy, and the human right to choose one’s environment.
Innovation Through Crisis and Change
The true test of any leader is how they navigate crisis, and Lynne’s leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic stands as a testament to her adaptability. When the world shut down, the needs of seniors aging at home did not. In fact, the risks of isolation and lack of access to resources skyrocketed.
Lynne led a rapid pivot in service delivery. Understanding that safety was paramount, the organization implemented creative solutions to keep members connected and healthy. The team began organizing grocery deliveries to ensure high-risk members did not have to venture out. They transitioned quickly to a virtual model, introducing online programming that kept members mentally and socially engaged. In fact, Kendal at Home initiated the use of the Zoom platform across the Kendal System before it became the household name it is today.
It was during this era that Kendal at Home significantly shifted its focus more toward a proactive “health and wellness” model. Rather than waiting for a medical crisis to intervene, the organization began prioritizing prevention. This included the introduction of:
- Virtual Fitness Classes: Keeping members physically active from their living rooms.
- Falls Prevention Programs: Utilizing technology and training to reduce the leading cause of injury in seniors.
- Brain Health Initiatives: Collaborating with specialists to improve cognitive function and support those with dementia.
This shift from a reactive “care” model to a proactive “wellness” model has become a hallmark of Lynne’s legacy, ensuring that members are not just surviving at home, but thriving.
Embracing Technology and Community
Kendal at Home also embraced other technologies to enhance human connections. The organization has partnered with technology companies to facilitate communication between members and their families through television interfaces, bridging the digital divide that often isolates seniors. They deployed medical devices for fall detection and provided emergency room-at-home services, bringing hospital-level interventions directly to the bedside.
Furthermore, Lynne understood that an organization is only as strong as its community connections. She spearheaded outreach programs through LeadingAge, connecting with other aging service providers to share best practices. She prioritized diversity, equity, and inclusion within the leadership and staff, fostering an environment where staff retention remains high in an industry often plagued by turnover.
Kendal System Dedication
Since its inception, Lynne has also made significant contributions to the Kendal Leadership Fellows program, which has been at the forefront of developing leaders who embody Kendal’s values and mission and empowering employees in various areas and positions to grow personally and professionally.
Much of the program’s success has been attributed to the care and attention the facilitators share with participants. Together with Judy Sorum Brown and others, Lynne shares her vast experience in the field and ability to ask provocative questions. She has a passion for leadership development and inspires others to accomplish whatever work they’re passionate about. Fortunately, Lynne will continue to serve as a facilitator of this important program after retirement.
A Future Built on Strong Foundations
As Lynne steps into retirement, she leaves behind an organization that is robust, confident, and ready for the future.
Lynne’s plans for retirement are simple and well-earned: enjoying time with her husband, walking her dog in the metro parks, and reflecting on the deep relationships she has built. “It’s been over 20 wholesome years of compassion, innovation, and cherished moments,” the board has stated in a tribute to her service. “Over 20 years of bringing bright smiles, comfort, and peace of mind to the lives of older adults.”
While she steps away from the daily operations, the impact of Lynne Giacobbe’s 23 years at the helm of Kendal at Home will be felt for decades to come—in the innovative programs she launched, the markets she helped open, and most importantly, in the thousands of older adults who get to wake up every morning in the place they love most: home.
About Kendal at Home
Kendal at Home is a nonprofit, life plan at home program designed for older adults who want to remain in their own homes as they age. Founded in 2003, the program offers a comprehensive package of services including care coordination, healthy aging planning, and protection against the rising costs of long-term care. As a leader in the aging-in-place market, Kendal at Home empowers members to maintain their independence, lifestyle, and peace of mind. For more information, please visit www.kendalathome.org.